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 Swimming Pools - Swimming pools provides details of what types of pools are available, the materials used including fiberglass and vinyl, the use of stenciled concrete for pool decks, and offers advice on heaters, covers and filters as well as the positioning of swimming pools in your garden.
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Describes the benefits of fiberglass pools, how they are made, the advantages and disadvantages against other materials. Includes some information on installation, Sport pools, Swim Spas and Deep Well fiberglass pools.
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Living with Fiberglass Pools
Although a bit more expensive upfront, a fiberglass (or fibreglass) pool more than makes up for the expense with significantly lower
maintenance costs than other pool materials. A fiberglass pool can help with the long term costs and hassle of
maintaining your pool. In addition, the smooth surface of fibreglass pools can help avoid any annoying snagging of your
swimming clothes and skin as sometimes occurs with concrete lined pools.
Fiberglass is a new material developed in the twentieth century. It consists of molten glass that is spun into strands
which are then sprayed into a mould holding the shape of the object to be created. Fiberglass has proved useful for
many purposes, including tubs and pools.
Fiberglass pools are made in slightly different ways by different companies, but generally a pool company will create
a wax mould of a particular pool shape which is then sprayed with a gel coating. At this time, strands of fiberglass
mixed with vinyl and/or polyester resin are sprayed or hand rolled onto the gel surface. This is done one layer at
a time until achieving the desired thickness of fiberglass pools. Some companies add other types of resin fillers to the
fiberglass strands, thereby lowering the initial cost, while others use only the most basic resins which are more
expensive upfront but require less maintenance over time.
The advantages of fibreglass
Fiberglass pools offer many advantages:
1 .. Firstly, they are gentle on the skin: rough concrete surfaces easily cause
scratches or abrasions, which although minor, are very much a nuisance. The smooth surface of fiberglass pools will never
harm your swimsuit or skin;
2 .. Secondly, many maintenance costs can be avoided by using fiberglass. The inert composition
of fiberglass inhibits the growth of algae and other organisms, which means there is no need for constant scrubbing
or expensive acid baths to keep the pool clean. This makes fiberglass a much healthier option for fiberglass pools;
3 .. Finally, the smooth and durable surface of fiberglass never needs replacing, unlike concrete which must be re-plastered
every five to seven years, or vinyl lining which needs to be replaced every three to seven years. Moreover, fiberglass
is up to seventeen times stronger than concrete, having a tensile strength of 11,300 pounds per square inch. Fiberglass pools can
move and expand with the earth and soil over time and can also withstand pressure changes from more unstable climates.
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Disadvantages of fiberglass pools
The only real disadvantage of fiberglass is the higher cost upfront. However, this is more than made up for
by the lower cost of maintaining the pool, making it the most economical option for long term pool ownership.
Sports fiberglass pools
Often the most popular type, the Sports pools are the easiest pools to maintain on the market today.
They provide more versatility and are perfect for water games, volleyball, swimming, exercise, or
just relaxing on a float. When combined with a slide, children will enjoy hours of fun and entertainment.
Swim Spa fiberglass pools
Swim Spa packages offer the flexibility of exercise and relaxation in a compact size. They feature a Jet Stream System,
which enables your pool to become a water treadmill, offering unlimited long-distance swimming. The jets can often be adjusted
to provide resistance for an enjoyable, therapeutic walk, jog, or swim, with less pounding and jarring caused by
normal street exercise.
Deep Well fiberglass pools
Deep Well pools range in depth up to around 8 feet. While the deep well pool offers plenty of water depth, keep in
mind that most of the pool is used to accomodate the transition from the shallow to deep end. This provides less
room for shallow water activities. Today, most customers are installing Sports fiberglass pools with slides as an alternative
to simply having deep water.
Installation
As mentioned in the inground pools section, the fiberglass shell is lowered by a crane
into the excavated hole once the electrical and plumbing work has been completed. The base of the hole is usually
covered in a two-inch layer of sand which serves as an even surface on which the shell can rest. Once the fiberglass
has been positioned properly, some water is added to anchor it. Inground fiberglass pools can then be filled at the same rate as sand
is filled round the edges of the pool, helping to stop it from distorting once all the water has been added. A concrete
deck then anchors the whole structure in place.
The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Fiberglass Swimming Pools from Blue Hawaiian Pools
- Award winning pools made from fiberglass. www.bluehawaiianfiberglasspools.com
PoolCenter
- Fiberglass swimming pools installation, care and procedures. www.poolcenter.com
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Site written by Steve Dickson